Beneficial effect of long-acting injectable risperidone on the neurocognitive deficit of a schizophrenic patient: A case report.

We report the case of a 37-year-old female patient suffering from schizophrenia, disorganized type. Adherence to treatment was always a major problem. During the last 2 years the patient was disorganized and was refusing treatment. Since the patient was already receiving a very high (double) dose per os, it was decided to administer two 50 ml ampoules of long-acting, injectable risperidone plus 5 mg of haloperidol per os daily. After 80 days of treatment, all positive, negative and even neurocognitive symptoms improved markedly. Extrapyramidal side effects did not appear at any stage of treatment. The most impressive neurocognitive improvement concerned the clock drawing test, which was in parallel with her improvement in both the positive and negative symptoms of the PANSS.

Reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Zung Depression Rating Scale.

INTRODUCTION: The current study aimed to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS). METHODS: The study sample included 40 depressed patients 29.65 +/- 9.38 years old and 120 normal comparison subjects 27.23 +/- 10.62 years old. In 20 of them (12 patients and 8 comparison subjects) the instrument was re-applied 1-2 days later. Translation and Back Translation was made. Clinical Diagnosis was reached by consensus of two examiners with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the IPDE. Statistical Analysis included ANOVA, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's alpha (alpha) RESULTS: Both Sensitivity and specificity exceed 90.00 at 44/45, Chronbach's alpha for the total scale was equal to 0.09, suggesting that the scale covers a broad spectrum of symptoms. Factor analysis revealed five factors (anxiety-depression, thought content, gastrenterological symptoms, irritability and social-interpersonal functioning). The test-retest reliability was satisfactory (Pearson's R between 0.92). CONCLUSION: The ZDRS-Greek translation is both reliable and valid and is suitable for clinical and research use with satisfactory properties. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature, although the literature is limited. However one should always have in mind the limitations inherent in the use of self-report scales.